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.... I ordered 50 last year and the troop has really got into the vibe of hammocking. We did our version of a sweat shop to make the gear and worked it like a typical merit badge, blue card and all. I will be awarding the first group of five boys with their merit badges and special slides at the next court of honor. It was a great experience thanks to you WL

Here are some photos of the first batch of boys to earn the Hammock Camping merit badge. I made some custom neckerchief slides for them to wear with pride. I recently ordered another batch of fabric for the second group that will start working on the badge sometime in the fall.

I'm not sure if you are referring to me or to the originator of this WLMiller.

If it's me you are talking about, my humble thanks to you and I assure everyone that mentoring our youth is very rewarding. It's almost like having extended family growing before your eyes. If any of you are not yet mentoring, I encourage you to. It's great for our future and contributes heavily to one's self worth.

If it's WLMiller you are talking about, I join you in that sentiment 100%. That guy is awesome!

Happy Trails to one and all.
Enjoy the outdoors wisely and elevate your perspective.

Here are some photos of the first batch of boys to earn the Hammock Camping merit badge. I made some custom neckerchief slides for them to wear with pride. I recently ordered another batch of fabric for the second group that will start working on the badge sometime in the fall.

Oh yes, there was some peach cobbler too

Wow mountain man mike, that is very cool. I dig the little hammocks, are they Neckerchief slides?

- William -

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. - Psalms 119:9

Wow mountain man mike, that is very cool. I dig the little hammocks, are they Neckerchief slides?

They are neckerchief slides. I started with a section of 3/4" schedule 40 PVC and with a dremel, made a lengthwise slit on each side the length of the clippings. The sections of PVC were about 1/2" to 3/4" (eyeballing it) longer than the clippings. Then I cut at opposite ends and directions halfway through the pipe to the long cuts to have overlapping pieces. This was followed by random "scarring the bark" to simulate the grain of the wood. A little gorilla glue at the base of the clipping, some craft paint and a coat of sealer to make it ready for the minature hammock. That was a small clipping of heavy material tied to the clipping with upholstery thread and a little glue to finish it. Not being a master carver, I was very happy with the results and the reaction from the boys and their parents was really cool.

Originally Posted by TheFirePitGuy

I was referring to you Mountain_Man_Mike and all the people who support your endeavors with these kids. Kudos to WLMiller54. I got my eagle rank in '74 so I know what you're doing is important!

...and by the way, the peach cobbler pictures brings back memories from scouting that I haven't thought about in a long time. Some of the good things in life never change.

Thank you FirePit and congratulations on earning that very special rank. Your leaders may have made it possible for you to attain it, but it was you who took every step along the trail.

WLMiller had a great idea to promote this merit badge and I thank him for inspiring so many.

Cobbler made in cast iron has scouting written all over it.

Thanks again.

Happy Trails to one and all.
Enjoy the outdoors wisely and elevate your perspective.

Very cool... I am slowly but surely getting Scouts in my Troop into the hammock camping. I got them first to start tarp camping... ditching the tent.. then by example of being in my hammock every month at the camp outs.. they are starting to see the comfort and ease of set up etc.
The merit badge out line is a great place to start the training for hammock campers.
Thanks

At last night's troop meeting I had an overwhelming response to the offering of another Hammock Camping merit badge course scheduled to start in November. This comes on the heels of the official Camping merit badge scheduled to start in October. The tentative plans are to make the gear during the two week holiday break. That worked out really well last year and maybe we have a few of the bugs worked out so we can get the gear done quicker this time.

The boys from the first group took a shine to their neckerchief slides and are who the next group looks up to.